Chicago Bears add undrafted wide receiver Squirrel White to roster following DJ Moore departure
White, a former Florida State and Tennessee player, will compete for a roster spot during the summer and preseason.
The Chicago Bears have signed wide receiver Squirrel White as an undrafted free agent, a move that underscores the franchise's strategy to address offensive gaps left by the departure of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Following the trade of Moore earlier in the offseason, the Bears did not make significant investments to replace him in the receiving corps, creating an opening for undrafted players to potentially earn playing time. White, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 177 pounds, is set to compete for a roster spot during the summer and preseason.
White brings a history of college football experience, having played at Tennessee from 2022 to 2024 and at Florida State in 2025. His collegiate record includes 136 receptions for 1,717 yards and six touchdowns over four seasons, with a career-high of 803 receiving yards recorded in 2023 while at Tennessee. However, his most recent season at Florida State saw limited production, as he caught just five passes for 52 yards.
The signing comes after reports from Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com indicated that the team had signed several undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. While the Bears have not yet made significant offensive investments to fill the void left by Moore, the addition of White represents a different body type for the receivers on the roster. The team has indicated that White will be part of the summer competition to secure a place on the final 53-man roster.
White's unique moniker, "Squirrel," was bestowed upon him by his grandmother during his childhood. The nickname originated from an incident where the younger White imitated the movements of a squirrel in her garden. This anecdote highlights the personal background of the athlete joining the professional ranks, adding a layer of narrative to the roster expansion that occurred shortly after the draft concluded.
As the Bears look toward the upcoming season, the integration of White remains contingent on his performance during the summer and preseason. The uncertainty surrounding his immediate impact is typical for undrafted signings, particularly those with a lower profile in their most recent collegiate campaign. The franchise will monitor his development closely as they attempt to rebuild their offensive depth following the significant trade of Moore.
This roster move reflects the broader context of the 2026 offseason, where teams are recalibrating their strategies without the luxury of significant free agency spending. The Bears' decision to sign White suggests a willingness to take calculated risks on unproven talent to maintain competitiveness. As the summer competition begins, all eyes will be on whether White can translate his college experience into a successful professional career within the NFL.
